Mexico observes shift toward ‘politics of the selfie’ in social media

The political landscape in Mexico is experiencing a shift toward what is described as ‘the politics of the selfie,’ where social media imagery often replaces substantive debate, policy proposals, and ideological discourse. Instead of focusing on concrete resolutions or discussions, political actors frequently use photographs with high-ranking officials—such as the president, governors, or mayors—to project influence and proximity to power.

This trend is viewed as a modern evolution of traditional political personalism and patronage. While the technology has changed from physical gestures like ‘besamanos’ to digital selfies, the underlying political culture remains rooted in seeking legitimacy through association with powerful figures. These images often serve as signals to political parties and peers to demonstrate loyalty and belonging, rather than communicating specific agendas to the citizenry.